Portable folding bed



(No Model.)

W. W. ST, JOHN. PORTABLE FOLDING BED.

N. PuERs. Phowulm m har. Walhinglom D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM IV. ST. JOHN, OF BROOKLYN, NEIV YORK.

PORTABLE FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,144, dated July 80,1889.

(No model.)

To (0Z5 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM IV. ST. JOHN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PortableFolding Beds; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,'referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in portable folding beds andscreens; and the objects of the invention are to produce an apparatuswhich can be easily and readily transported from one place to another;also, to protect children or grown persons from the annoyance ofmosquitoes or flies; also, that it can be folded in such manner as tooccupy a very small space; furthermore, that it is very light, and thuseasily transported; also, that it can be produced for a small expenseand not liable to get out of order, and, finally, that it can be usedindoors as well as outdoors.

To this end my invention consists in the construction of certain detailsand arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described hereinafter,and specifically pointed out in the claim, reference being had to theaccompanying drawin and the letters of reference thereon.

Like letters indicate similar parts in the different figures of thedrawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of theportable bed ready for use. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same. Fig.3 is a similar view showing it folded for transportation.

In the drawings, A represents the tray or bottom of the bed having aledge or flange a, of suitable width or depth, for holding a thinmattress or lining B. The bottom is made of thin, light, and strongmaterial, preferably of the veneering-board, of several thicknesses,with the grain running in different directions. The screen 0 is made ofthe arched wires 0 d, hinged to the bottom and also iii the center, sothat it can be folded. These wires are folded upon themselves, as seenat c and (Z in Fig. 3,

and the rod D is then laid in between the folds of the mattress B. Theends of the said wires are provided with eyes or hooks 6, through which,when elevated, a rod or light bar D is introduced, and this, with thewires, forms the support for the netting E, and thus forms a screen toprotect children. or other persons occupying the bed from the annoyanceof flies, bugs, mosquitoes, &c. The bot tom is provided with hinges f,so that it can be folded for transportation.

The apparatus or device can be made of any size desired, so as to besuitable for children or grown persons. It may be provided with a cover,of oil-cloth, rubber, or other suitable material, to protect theoccupant against sudden showers, &c.

The device can be painted or decorated in any other suitable manner, ifdesired, so as to make it ornamental. It may be provided with hooks g,or a look, if desired, to fasten it when folded or stored away.

The operation is as follows: \Vhen the bed is to be used, it is carriedto the desired place in the garden, park, or room and the bottomextended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The wires 0 (Z are then elevatedand the rod or bar D passed through the eyes and the netting placed overthe support or frame thus formed, constituting a perfect screen againstflies, mosquitoes, &c. In case of a shower the cover can be readilyplaced over the support or frame to protect the occupant from the rain.To transport the bed, it is again folded, asin Fig. 3, and occupying buta small space, it can be readily stowed away.

Among the many advantages may be mentioned that it can be readily usedby nurses and others for laying children upon, instead of upon the grassor floor, while sleeping, and they will not be annoyed by flies,mosquitoes, 850., while using the netting or screen. It can be easilyand quickly placed in position for use, and can be readily transportedfrom place to place. It can be used by grown persons as well children,either by using a large one or by dispensing with one of the end ledgesand. resting the body upon the grass when using a small one. It can bemade as an article of manufacture to be kept on hand for sale.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, 1s

A folding bed consisting of the bottom formed of two sections hingedtogether, in combination with the folding screen consisting of the Wires0 and d, hinged to the folding frame and divided at their centers, Wherethey are connected by a hinge, and the rod D, all arranged as shown andspecified. 10

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

\VILLIAM W. ST. JOHN. WVitnesses:

T. C. BRECHT, I I. A. BRECHT.

